Page 41 - OHS, FebruaryMarch 2023

Designing for Safety with Emergency Eyewashes and Shower Devices Consider these factors when selecting an emergency eyewash or shower devices for your workplace. BY RYAN PFUND The intrinsic need for using emergency eyewashes and shower deviceswithinindustrialsettings is real and can’t be underestimated. Industrial worksites are dynamic by nature and full of variables that can change daily. PotentialworksitehazardsinvolvingKnowYourHazardsandEmergency ■Non-plumbed, self-contained harmful chemicals, dusty conditions and flammable materials present fluctuating seriousrisksforexposureandchallengesto both employees and employers. Work-related statistics help illustrate various risks of hazardous exposure: ■ American workers come into contact with tens of thousands of chemicals on the job daily, as estimated by OSHA.1 ■ In 2020, exposure to harmful substances or environments resulted in 424,360 nonfatal injuries and illnesses involving days away from work, and 672 fatalities, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).2 ■ Each day, about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).3 Plumbed safety devices like eyewash stations and emergency showers help www.ohsonline.com Eyewash/Shower Options To begin the selection process of emergency eyewash and shower equipment, start by identifying potential hazards in the workplace setting. OSHA uses the term “hazardous chemical” to describe which substances require safety data sheets (SDSs) in your worksite. OSHA defines “hazardous chemical” as “any chemical thatposeseitheraphysicalhazard(suchas flammability) or a health hazard (such as causing damage to the skin or eyes).” SDSs for hazardous substances should be carefully reviewed to ensure the proper protection and safety plan is in place. Plumbed equipment should be selected based on the type and level of potential exposure to people and how many individuals could be affected. General guidelines for equipment selection include: eyewash fixtures ■ When there is no access to a plumbed water source, self-contained units can be used ■ Water tanks deliver a minimum of .4 GPM for a minimum of 15 minutes ■ The systems can be portable and gravity-fed TheImportanceofTimeinan Emergency For the best outcome, it is crucial to gain access to an emergency eyewash or shower within the first few seconds of eye or skin exposure. Time is clearly of the essence in stopping the exposure, alleviating discomfort and pain and preventing further or permanent facial and bodily damage. That is why an eyewash or drench shower must be located within 10 seconds of the hazard, per ANSI/ISEA Z358.1– prevent permanent eye and skin damage from chemical burns or foreign substances generated by grinding, hammering, chipping, testing, pouring, storing, transporting and disposing operations. are at risk ■ Flush a larger portion of the body EMERGENCY SHOWERS & EYEWASH ■ Emergency eyewash stations FEBRUARY/MARCH 2023 | Occupational Health & Safety 41 ■ Effective for spills, splashes, dust or debris likely to affect only the eyes ■ Provide a controlled flow of water to both eyes simultaneously ■Deliver an uninterrupted, 15-minute supply of tepid water. Plumbed units can supply a greater volume of water available—between two and five gallons (7.5 and 19.0 liters) per minute (GPM) ■ Emergency eye/face wash stations ■ Used when the entire face is at risk from spills, splashes, dust and debris ■ Irrigate the eyes and face simultaneously ■ Provide a large distribution pattern of water (minimum 3.0 gpm/11.4 lpm) to ■ Effectively rinse the entire face ■ Drench showers ■ Used when larger areas of the body butarenotappropriatefortheeyes(a combination eyewash and drench shower may be used to simultaneously to flush the eyes and rinse larger areas of the body)